When did Fastball find themselves The Way to the Fallen Friday lane? And seriously when did having like two albums out warrent a need for a best of on a band that really hasn’t had a long career?
Yikes.
Okay, a few days ago I talked about falling into the commercial acting gig. Well, I did end up going to the call back for this commercial. What I learned is that they only do one call back. So, if you get a call back that’s a huge thing. Thus for me to have been fresh with a new agent, and my first commercial audition and I get a call back aparently I’m doing something right. What I’m going to say right now though is that I don’t believe I got the gig for doing the commercial. Here’s why…
I came in thinking wow, they must have liked something. I don’t know what they liked and I could speculate but it would be stupid. So I’m in the office waiting in the cattle area where there are several real actors and another musician guy waiting. What struck me was the attitude and arrogance several of them had. Not to mention how uncomfortable they all looked in their attire, except maybe the “lead” singer guy – the most arrogant of them all. The team on the inside working for the company of the commercial were taking their time seeing everyone.
What I could hear through the walls wasn’t killing me. None of them could sing and in fact several were just screaming bloody murder. The most horrendous one I heard was the “lead” singer guy. Mind you he was wearing exactly what the part asked for. Leather pants, an open gypsy style shirt, the sunglasses, all totally the faux rockstar of say the ’70’s. He came out after the audition pissed off. I guess he expected them to tell him he got the gig right then and there.
My turn came, and I was shuffled into the room. Like last time, I was the only guy to have a guitar with me. I think this time it worked against me instead of for me. I’ll get to that in a second. So, I’m standing there and they ‘slate’ me and ask me a few questions. No big deal. The one dumb thing I forgot to mention when they asked about my music background was that I just should have mentioned I just won for best music video and spaced it. They ‘slated’ me again because the tape they were using about ran out. I spaced it again.
After the slate I’m left waiting in the room with about 5 people staring at me while I stood there. They kept asking if I needed anything, if I was ok, would I like to sit down, etc… They were waiting on someone else on the team. Finally came my time, they gave me a couple of props to work with and I attempted to think out how I would make use of playing a guitar lick with a bag in my hand. I shouldn’t have done that. So I had an issue with that in the first take. They asked for a second take. This time I concentrated more on the bag and getting stuff out of it. I ended up flubbing a line and fumbling getting a burrito out of the bottom of the bag. Oops. They asked for yet another try without the guitar, so I took it off. I ran the lines much better but I felt flat about it. I got one more shot and was asked to act more like Whitesnake in that take. Well, I don’t feel like I did a good enough David Coverdale impression.
They thanked me for coming in and I was on my merry way. Mind you, I never thought I’d get a call back, much less even be acting at all. Thus if anything comes of it, great, if not, oh well. I did talk to my agent’s assistant who informed me that they may take until Tuesday of next week to actually make their decision. While I would hope I had the needed look and feel they want, I’m not holding my breath – for if that is what they want, then I believe I’d have it in the bag for the singing part and look they’re looking for. As I stated in the other post, I look exactly like their storyboard character. No one else did. I’m also the only one of all the people I saw and heard that could actually carry a tune. While I don’t feel confident because I flubbed each time in some way, there is still a chance I get that call. Would it be nice? You bet ya. Because it’s a national spot.
On my way back from the audition I noticed a long line of people outside a Best Buy in Hollywood. My first thought was, what concert sells tickets here. I later learned it was for people camped out waiting to purchase a Play Station 3. I wonder exactly how it is that someone can camp out for several days in front of an electronics store to purchase a game machine. I mean wow. How independently wealthy do you have to be in order to one do that, and two have the time to actually play one of these machines? I remember as a kid that getting a game box was a cool thing. I don’t remember people trampling each other, shooting each other, or better yet smashing their faces into a pole while running all in an effort to get one.
I guess I’m weird in the fact that if it takes too much effort to get it, I’ll wait until something is more widely available. What better time waster is there than a game console? Oh I know, a TV. Don’t get me wrong. I love games. I just don’t play them very often anymore. I was damn good at them though. There was a summer contest at a local arcade where they had 10 games and a board for the summers high scores were kept. The person with the most high scores at the end of the summer got to pick an arcade game to take home.
I was the best gamer, but at the end a friend of the co-worker had rigged the scores with his buddy who worked there. So we petitioned the owner calling it fixed. They ended up having a showdown between myself and the other guy. Mind you I was like 12 and he was 17, a world of difference and shows you how brave I was to stand up to a senior in high school. The decided to choose three games for three rounds each, the person who won the most times would walk away with the game they wanted. I beat the older kid so bad on all the games that after the first game into the second round they called it off and declared me the winner. I didn’t get shot, I didn’t have to run, I wasn’t robbed. I’m not sure I’d be into games if people were going to rob, shoot and/or kill me for it.
Fastball, Fastball, Fastball. I liked this song when it came out. Unfortunately I really didn’t care for anything else they did. Deep in the corners of my mind that makes them a one hit wonder. Which is the reason why I call them a Fallen Friday. What else is curious is how the hell they even have a best of album. Unless I’m truly stupid, did they do more than two CD’s? I’m not even gonna bother with doing the research on that. I want you, the informed Fastball fan to set my ass straight. If I’m wrong, then I suppose it could make an inkling of sense.
Reality is that I don’t believe you’re ready for a best of until you’ve got say 7 or 8 full CD releases. Otherwise you really don’t have the depth of catalog to say you’ve got any best of. Am I right or am I right or am I right?
BTW – just because they had a major label deal doesn’t mean you shouldn’t own the song. If you have it but didn’t buy it, do the world a karma favor and drop the $0.99 on it.
(** Disclaimer: If Fastball’s label decides to show me The Way to the poor house for enlightening you, I’ll be pitching the audio right off the server and into oblivion. The post will remain to show you the path I’ve been on. **)